re: Chelsea 2012/2013 Season Long Thread

I also want to go ahead and say that I have been watching Hazard pretty closely the last 2 years, and we have a VERY talented player. His need for attention concerns me a little, but I think that should fade with a few lashes from frankie and terry.

The combination of Mata and Hazard on the wings should be one of the best pairings in Europe (assuming Mata's primary role is wing).

re: Chelsea 2012/2013 Season Long Thread (Posted on 7/4/12 at 10:23 pm to lesismeaurx)

I would be really bummed. He needs to stay at least one more year. I thought he might be done under AVB, turns out AVB is just a moron, but I think if he would accept a role similar to the one he played toward the end of last season he definitely has more to give. He was the best player over the two legs of the Barca semi and put in a hell of a shift as captain in the final.

Wouldn't surprise me. I would love Frankie Lamps to end up in the MLS. That tells me that he is obviously taking a back seat to someone else this year. Makes me wonder if we are finally gonna close the Hulk deal and moving Mata to a more central role. I would love to see Mata dishing it to a front 3 of Hulk, Torres and Hazard.

re: Chelsea 2012/2013 Season Long Thread (Posted on 7/4/12 at 10:31 pm to spehog)

quote:Mata will play mid and Hazard left correct?

That's what I thought but I've got a buddy who is convinced the reason Hazard came to Chelsea is because we told him he could play centrally. I would guess him and Mata will just switch between the middle and left as the game flows.

I'm also not really comfortable entering the season with Torres, Sturridge, and Lukaku as our only striker options.

re: Chelsea 2012/2013 Season Long Thread (Posted on 7/4/12 at 10:38 pm to RandySavage)

quote:I'm also interested to see how big a role Marin plays on this team.

I think he will be eased in. We have a ton of extra games this year and will need everyone. Everyone also seems to forget we still have McEachran, although another loan may not be the worst thing for him.

quote:I'm also not really comfortable entering the season with Torres, Sturridge, and Lukaku as our only striker options.

Agreed, I can deal with Torres. I still think he can score. Sturridge has had flashes that excite me and times where I want him to get viral meningitis. Lukaku needs to be loaned out. He's nowhere near being ready.

re: Chelsea 2012/2013 Season Long Thread (Posted on 7/4/12 at 10:40 pm to Bho)

quote:Everyone also seems to forget we still have McEachran, although another loan may not be the worst thing for him.

I'm starting to think McEachran is not going to ever turn into the player Chelsea thought he would. I think that's part of the reason we bought De Bruyne.

quote:Sturridge has had flashes that excite me and times where I want him to get viral meningitis. Lukaku needs to be loaned out. He's nowhere near being ready.

Sturridge has had flashes but he has never played as the central striker for us so who knows what he would look like there and I haven't seen enough of Lukaku to really make a fair judgement. We all know what Torres is capable of but he's also just as capable of going like 3 months without scoring again which is a scary thought with no proven backup.

re: Chelsea 2012/2013 Season Long Thread (Posted on 7/4/12 at 10:46 pm to Bho)

quote:Lukaku needs to be loaned out. He's nowhere near being ready.

I think he needs a chance to show what he can do, but I don't think he's ready either. I just want to see what he would do with a chance. He's been begging to see the field.

Marin will start out as a sub, and get worked into the starting lineup as the season progresses and people get tired. I could see him relieving Hazard and Mata, and starting when they aren't fit/in form.